Keeping the Sabbath Wholly: Ceasing, Resting, Embracing, Feasting

This was a church book read so I was hoping to find it useful. It felt dated and not likely for me to implement.

Book arrived promptly and in excellent shape.

When it comes to the Sabbath, there are four basic questions: What is it (what does it mean)? Who should celebrate it? When should it be celebrated? and How should it be celebrated? Dawn's is a mostly practical book on Sabbath-keeping, and she spends most of her space discussing the last question and conspicuously -- and, I suspect, intentionally -- avoids the other three. (For a relatively brief theological discussion of those other concerns from a Christian perspective, I'd recommend chapters 28-30 of John Frame's  Doctrine of the Christian Life .)I read and discussed this book with a group of folks from my church. In general we liked it, but I think the book could have used a better editor to help keep Dawn focused. She has many good things to say herein, but not all of them actually belonged in this book. She could have excised some of the tangents (e.g., on our sexuality) and entire chapters (e.g., the one on worship music), and the book would have been just as useful as far as Sabbath-keeping is concerned but more readable because it strayed from the topic less.We also found the two middle sections on resting and embracing to be in large part redundant or unrelated to the topic at hand. The summaries of those sections that appeared later in the section on feasting, however, were more helpful and meaningful to us than the sections themselves, and we found ourselves wishing she had developed the theme of resting as repentance, for instance, more fully in those middle sections. (If you get bored by the middle, don't give up -- the section on feasting is much better!)All in all, the book is useful, but it could have been executed in a better way, methinks.

I think this book does a beautiful job of describing what the Sabbath could be in our lives. The author speaks to the process it takes to develop a regular rhythm of work and rest. I think this book does a great job of just painting a picture of what our lives look like when we are spending time with the Lord. At times it is kinda idealistic, but we are all on a journey continually striving to grow in our faith and for our hearts to continue to be renewed and aligned with the heart of the Father. Somethings resonated for me more than others. I particularly related as a college student in a busy season with what seems like no end to work.

Read this book. A beautiful memoir meets how-to.

This book gives you some ideas on how/what do to on the Sabbath. Look past some of the information that other wise leads the reader to believe that any day can be the Sabbath--- the true Sabbath is Friday sunset to Saturday sunset(regardless if man changed it to Sunday or not). How to keep the kids from 'no fun day' to a day that you can truly look forward to-- spending the day with our Lord! Gives some good weather ideas, hiking/enjoying the outdoors as well as special meals that can be planned ahead of time that all can look forward too. A good read for those who want to learn more.

A good and thorough look at practicing the Sabbath. The author borrows heavily from Jewish tradition, which was at the same time helpful and enlightening--yet a bit more foreign when thinking about how to apply the practices (as a non-Jew). It served as a reminder to me how we need to be open to how other faith traditions express their faith, and think deeply about incorporating some of these into your own traditions to rejuvenate your own faith life.I would encourage reading it with that in mind--a good book to glean ideas from, but you may get overwhelmed with the focus on Jewish tradition and to the extent she practices it (she is Protestant Christian I believe). The traditions are great, but I think you need to incorporate ideas slowly and repetitively to make them useful and meaningful habits.

This book is one of those that will always be with me. I read many books and there are only a select few that make a huge impact on my life and that I remember always. This is one of them. Marva Dawn makes the point that you can accomplish more in 6 days with a Sabbath Rest day than if you work 7 days without, much like a tithe. This is a subject that the church has to a great extent left out of its teaching in many years. I believe this is the answer to the problem of all the rage we have in this society. People are pushed to the limit and take no time to rest and recuperate and draw close to the Lord.

A really clear explanation of sabbath and very practical.

Very thought provoking.

Written for both Christian and Jewish people of faith. Both have Sabbaths, and this can also be used for both Priest and Rabbi. It is not about the “day” but keeping a day as Sabbath. The preparations, rewards and long lasting gifts one receives when Keeping the Sabbath.

I had never thought about what the 'whole' sabbath might entail for us today. This is a wonderful exploration of several facets of its meaning and celebration.....highly recommended for personal worship and celebration.

very helpful book